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Udon Thani, Thailand

November 7, 2014 to November 22, 2014

Join us for an exciting build in beautiful Udon Thani, in northeast Thailand. This is an excellent opportunity to work with friendly people and learn about their unique and colorful culture. No construction skills or experience are required, just a thirst for adventure and a willingness to learn.

About Thailand
Thailand, or Prathet Thai to locals, is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Myanmar (Burma). Laos and Cambodia also border Thailand to the north and east.

The climate in Thailand is tropical, with a rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon season from mid-May to September and a dry, cool northeast monsoon season from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid.

Thailand’s population is relatively homogeneous. More than 85 percent speak a dialect of Thai and share a common culture. Theravada Buddhism is the religion of about 95 percent of the country’s people. The government permits religious diversity, and other major religions are represented. Spirit worship and animism are widely practiced.

Udon Thani is located in northeastern Thailand and this trip will be coordinated with the Habitat Resource Center-Northeast. Udon Thani has the longest-serving Habitat program in Thailand.

About Habitat for Humanity Thailand
The government’s National Housing Authority estimates some 8.2 million people live in substandard housing. Problems are particularly acute in Bangkok as the capital has grown into a major metropolis dwarfing other cities in the country. Migrants face high rents for small rooms and often live in overcrowded areas plagued by a lack of proper sanitation facilities. Squatter settlements are commonly seen along railway lines or near port and industrial areas.

Habitat for Humanity Thailand began operations in 1998 in Udon Thani. Since July 2006, HFH Thailand has been operating through Habitat Resource Centers in Bangkok in the central area, Chiang Mai in the north, Udon Thani in the northeast, and Phang Nga province in the south.

HFH Thailand’s tsunami-reconstruction program has served more than 1,500 families as of 2008 and is being transformed, as planned, into a regular program. The move reflects the continuing strong need for affordable housing in the south of the country.

Types of construction for volunteers
HFH Thailand’s houses are typically 36 sq. m. each in size and the design features the use of concrete interlocking blocks or concrete hollow blocks with a tiled roof. On-site volunteers can expect to move dirt, move blocks, dig septic tanks, bend rebar, mix concrete, pour concrete and lay block under the supervision of a local foreman. No previous construction skill or experience is required.

Standard itinerary
Day 1 (Friday, November 7, 2014): Depart the U.S.
Day 2 (Saturday, November 8, 2014): Travel day.
Day 3 (Sunday, November 9 2014): Arrival in Udon Thani; free time.
Day 4 (Monday, November 10, 2014): Welcome and orientation with local Habitat staff member; visit project site and meet families; welcome dinner.
Days 5-8(Tuesday, November 11-Friday, November 14, 2014): Typical work days: breakfast served before traveling to worksite; work from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; free time after work to clean up; dinner; free time for activities.
Days 9-10 (Saturday, November 15-Sunday, November 16 2014): Free day; local activities.
Days 11-15 (Monday, November 17- Friday, November 21, 2014): Typical work days: breakfast served before traveling to worksite; work from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; free time after work to clean up; dinner; free time for activities. Dedication and farewell ceremony with community on Friday.
Day 16 (Saturday, November 22, 2014): Depart for home.

Note: Special events throughout the week include cultural experiences such as market tours, or visits to museums, sporting events, and historical sites.

Accommodations
The team can expect lodging in a local hotel or guesthouse with participants sharing double-occupancy rooms and shared baths. The trip cost also includes three meals per day, including traditional Thai lunches on the build site, as well as snacks and bottled water.

Share your story and keep Habitat building
You’re building something exciting with Habitat, so tell people about it! Create a page on Share.Habitat to tell friends, family and coworkers about your Global Village trip. Fundraising your program cost will be easy, and additional funds you raise will keep Habitat building after your team returns home.

Team leader
Have questions? Ready to join the team? Sean Akell will lead this team in the field and would love to speak with you. Sean can be contacted by email at seanakell2@gmail.com.

Why Sean became a Global Village team leader: “My first global village trip to El Salvador in 2010 was such a wonderful experience that I immediately knew it was something I wanted to do every year. The opportunity to further Habitat’s mission all over the world with small groups of amazing people is something I truly enjoy.”